ravi wrote: > The word 'approximation' has Platonic connotations that make me ill at ease > ...
It's not Platonic, it's "realist." The realist view is that the outside world exists independent of our perception of it. We don't know that world, except approximately. Then, the realist view splits into two parts. Idealism (or at least the Platonic type) says that the outside world exists as "forms" or ideal types in some deity's mind. (A cup is an imperfect reflection of a perfect cup, as seen through a glass darkly.) The materialist version, on the other hand, says that the outside world simply exists, with no guarantee of purity or that things are ideal in any way. (A cup is simply one example of a heterogeneous set of dishware that people have made.) Much of the order we see is the result of human perception and action (though not all). Anyway, why are you opposed to Plato? doesn't your e-mail address include "platosbeard"? -- Jim Devine / "Nobody told me there'd be days like these / Strange days indeed -- most peculiar, mama." -- JL. _______________________________________________ pen-l mailing list [email protected] https://lists.csuchico.edu/mailman/listinfo/pen-l
